This month I am going to suggest a different way of looking at and practicing effectiveness. Are you ready? To begin with, here are some questions:
- Have you ever been in a mood that you couldn?t define, a mood that was at times a blend of joy and sorrow, or of frustration and satisfaction?
- Such a feeling is so vague and has so many nuances, that you decide not to try to understand its whys and wherefores.
- Have you ever felt minor physical pains which you ignored because they only caused a slight discomfort?
These are subtle signals coming from our soul and our body.
Why do I want to discuss them with you?
Because the more we detect and understand these subtle signals within us, the better chances will we have to understand external situations with all their shades and subtleties. What we perceive in the outside world is but a mirror of what we manage to perceive within us.
In an increasingly complex and fast-moving world the ability to detect subtle signals becomes more and more crucial. They could be certain looks in the course of a meeting, the reaction of a co-worker who doesn?t dare voice an excellent idea that might help solve a problem, a certain feeling regarding a reference market enabling us to implement an action that will reverse a difficult situation and so forth.
I realize that I am going against the tide by encouraging you to notice nuances, a disturbing concept in a world dominated by the false idea that only ONE solution can solve a problem and that this solution must be implemented rapidly without lingering on feelings.
Yet think of all the mistakes that could be avoided if we lingered, for just a few moments, on subtle signals.
On an interpersonal basis, how much more useful it would be to pay attention to other people?s moods, with all their nuances, in order to solve a conflict!
On an organizational basis how many good ideas and solutions have been wasted because we didn?t listen to the suggestions of competent co-workers!
If you stop to think, you will realize that there is a huge number of wasted opportunities.
What should we do to train ourselves to perceive these subtle signals?
As I said above, the more we learn to detect and define what is going on within us, the better chance will we have to apply this sensitivity to the people and the world that surround us.
I therefore invite you to take advantage of the summer months, usually less stressful and conducive to relaxation, to train yourselves as follows:
– When you feel a pain somewhere in your body, instead of taking a pain killer, try to understand the message that your body is sending. Is it telling you that you should eat less? That you are tired and that, instead of planning hundreds of activities, you should simply rest?
– When there are people or situation-related tensions, instead of immediately blaming others, the weather or circumstances, try to discover the real reason behind your frustration and its effect on yourself.
– When dealing with an event, instead of immediately taking action, spend some time to carefully observe what is going on around you and/or to listen to others.
From the moment we are born we all have the capacity to perceive subtle signals. We ignore it because we are conditioned by the outside world and by our own education. Why not take advantage of the relaxing summer months to re-learn to use it?
As for many other activities, it is just a question of practice.
